His Power Is All In Your Mind

 

The newly constructed tracks of the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific railways were first linked at Promontory Point, Utah, on May 10, 1869. In celebration, Leland Stanford, the president of Central Pacific, drove a golden spike symbolically completing the job. On his first swing, he missed the spike, drawing gales of laughter from the experienced railroad workers looking on. This misfire was embarrassing, but ultimately harmless. But when it comes to moral issues, a swing and a miss can be deadly. Sin is “missing the mark” that God has set for us, and it is no laughing matter!

[Job 1:4-5] “And his sons would go and feast in their houses, each on his appointed day, and would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, ‘It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.’ Thus Job did regularly.” Did you catch that? Job was as concerned about the things that might have been done wrong as much as what was done wrong. Job wasn’t just counting up to what he had to offer to cover up his and his son's sins. He wanted to be extra careful to make sure that nothing could have been done that might have been against the Lord.

Sometimes as humans, we tend to give more credit to our enemies than they actually deserve. I know that in my personal life, I struggle with making Satan much more powerful than he already is. Sometimes we tend to think of Satan as an all-powerful being, when in reality - he isn’t. This is demonstrated in the book of Job several times when we see Satan going to God and having to ask His permission to be able to get to Job. Not only was he forced to ask for authority, but he was still limited to what he could and couldn’t do.

“Then the Lord said to Satan, ‘Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him.’ So, Satan departed from the presence of the Lord” (Job 1:12). We see that Satan cannot do anything that God doesn’t want him to do. This shows that he is not omnipotent, and certainly not more powerful than God. We can also see from Job chapter one that Satan is not omnipresent. “The Lord said to Satan, ‘From where do you come?’ Then Satan answered the Lord and said, ‘From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.’” (Job 1:7). We see here that Satan cannot be everywhere at once. We also see in all of this that Satan still answers to God. Satan and God are not on the same level when it comes to power. It isn’t like in the movies where the “gods” are all powerful and there is a constant battle between them. God has Satan in his place, and Satan couldn’t overstep the power God has given him, as he always wants to.

What a Christian can take from this is that we shouldn’t give more credit to Satan than he is worth. Yes, he is an enemy, and a powerful one, but we shouldn’t give him more power in our heads than he has. We should take comfort in this, remembering that we serve an all - powerful God who Satan has no control or chance against. God is in control, and that is how it will remain.

“I beg of you, my dear brother, to live among these books [Scriptures], to meditate upon them, to know nothing else, to seek nothing else.” – Jerome

“The Word of God and religiously obeyed is the shortest route to spiritual perfection. And we must not select just a few favorite passages to the exclusion of others. Nothing less than the whole Bible can make a whole Christian.” – A.W. Tozier

“Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:5).

Memorial Day

 

When the remains of a fallen soldier arrive from overseas, a dignified transfer of the body takes place — usually — at Dover Air Force Base, the primary port mortuary for U.S. military personnel killed in action. Perhaps you’ve seen a ceremony or two on television. It is a tearful and tragic event, a solemn and choreographed moment undertaken by military carry teams who transfer flag-draped caskets from planes to awaiting families.

You may remember, for example, when the bodies of three U.S. service members who were killed in a drone attack in Jordan about 15 months ago were received at Dover Air Force Base with military honors. President Biden attended the ceremony, reflecting the ongoing tradition of dignified transfers to help provide meaning and closure to grieving families.

If you have served in the military or have had family members in the service, you can understand how gut-wrenching these ceremonies can be. I had a close high school classmate who, shortly after graduation, was shipped to Vietnam. His name is now etched in the marble wall of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., along with the names of more than 58,000 other service personnel who died in that war. Tomorrow is Memorial Day. We will pause to honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to their country.

Their sacrifice reminds us of the high cost of freedom and reflects a principle that lies at the heart of the Christian faith: sacrificial love. Just as these brave individuals set aside their own safety to serve a greater good, Christ laid down his life on the cross so that we might experience freedom — freedom from sin, fear, and death (Romans 5:8).

―Timothy Merrill

[1 Corinthians 13:8] Love never fails. Love is one of the most loosely used words in the English language. This creates a lot of confusion about what true love really is. Most people think of love as a strong, warm feeling of affection for someone or something. Certainly, there is a strong emotional aspect to love. In the Bible, love is not just something one feels, it is the decision of the will to help others, even if one must sacrifice one’s self to do so. That’s how God and Christ love us and that’s how we should love others.

(1 John 3:16-18) “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or tongue, but in deed and in truth.” So, it is not enough to say, “I love you” (although we certainly should say that to our loved ones). We must back those words up with genuine, loving actions.

As we reflect on the sacrifice of these soldiers, we remember that death is not the final word for those who belong to Christ. Memorial Day is not just a day of mourning; it is also a day to celebrate hope — the twin hope that first, light does shine in the darkness, and second, that love is stronger than death.

Prayer: Compassionate God, on this Memorial Day, we thank you for the men and women who gave their lives for the sake of freedom. We honor their courage and remember their sacrifice with gratitude. Help us to follow their example by living lives of service and love. We also thank you for the ultimate sacrifice of your Son, Jesus Christ, who gave his life so that we might live. May his resurrection fill our hearts with hope, even in times of loss. Amen. Are you willing to give your life for God and country?

Trials Are Good For You

 

The Christian life has been described as “heading into a storm, in a storm, or coming out of a storm.” The question for the believer is not if trials will come, but what to do when they do come.

In the early morning hours of May 8^th my cell phone rang awaking me from a great sleep. The parental panic instantly runs through a thousand scenarios confusing the brain as one is coming to, sitting up and grabbing the ringing phone. Then I see one of the children’s name on the caller ID. Instantly, one visualizes the grandchildren and great-grandchildren with sadness developing. One takes a deep breath and answers with gentleness, knowing this phone call at four in the morning isn’t going to be cheerful. Our daughter informed me she discovered her husband of 36 years died in his sleep lying next to her. My wife is already crying and mourning but yet doesn’t know what has happened. After I got some concrete information from our daughter, I then had to tell my wife.

A shock is putting it lightly, but because we all share in the deep faith of God’s providence and authority the whole family could accept the tragedy without prejudice. God is still love and there is no doubt in my mind our son-in-law is in the presence of God.

[Acts 14:22] The apostle Paul said, “…We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” Paraphrased into today’s language, Jesus might say we have a “rough row to hoe” before we enter into God’s presence. Accepting the blunt reality of trial and hardship is the first step to dealing with adversity. The Christian is no more immune to cancer or hurricanes than the non-Christian. The ruin of the fall and the entrance of sin into the universe adversely affects both man and creation. Romans 8:22 states, “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.”

We must realize that the primary purpose of adversity is to expose our weakness and drive us to fresh trust and dependence on Jesus Christ. Jesus wants us to trust Him with each burden, each problem, each setback. 1 Peter 5:5-7 states, “…all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”

God knows that if we trust Him as our faith is tested, we will discover His strength – we will grow stronger. In our weakness, we can discover His strength. The winds of financial misfortune, illness, divorce, or death, may be too much for us to handle, but nothing is too complicated or burdensome for God!

James 1:2-4 NKJV; “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work and complete, lacking nothing.”

Phillips Modern English Version states: “When all kinds if trials and temptations crowd into your lives, don’t resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends! Realize that they come to test your faith and to produce in you the quality of endurance. But let the process go on until the endurance is fully developed, and you will find you have become men of mature character with the right sort of independence. And if, in the process, if any of you does not know how to meet any particular problem, he has only to ask God – who gives generously to all men without making them feel foolish or guilty – and he may be quite sure that the necessary wisdom will be given him.” Are you ready to meet God?

The Meanest Mother in the World

 

Today is Mother’s Day. Not all mothers are the same, and our experiences vary greatly. That’s why the following story is so interesting. Perhaps you had a mother like this one. I don’t know where this story comes from or who the author is.

“We had the meanest mother in the whole world! While other kids ate candy for breakfast, we had to have cereal, eggs, and toast. When others had a Pepsi and a Twinkie for lunch, we had to eat sandwiches. And what our mother fixed for us for dinner was a whole lot different from what other kids had, too. Mother insisted on knowing where we were at all times. You’d think we were convicts in a prison. She had to know who our friends were, and what we were doing with them. She had the nerve to break the child labor laws by making us work. We had to wash the dishes, make the beds, learn to cook, vacuum the floor, do laundry, and do all sorts of cruel jobs. By the time we were teenagers, she could read our minds. Then, life was really tough! Mother wouldn’t let our friends just honk the horn when they drove by. They had to come to the door so she could meet them. Whilst everyone else could date when they were 12 or 13, we had to wait until we were 16. Because of our mother, we missed out on lots of things other kids experienced. None of us has even been caught shoplifting or vandalizing property and none of us has ever been arrested for any crime. It was all her fault. We never got drunk, never took up smoking or drugs, never stayed out all night, and never did a million other things that got us in trouble like other kids. Sundays were reserved for church and we never missed once. We knew better than to ask to spend the night with a friend on Saturdays. Now that we have left home, we are all God-fearing, educated, honest adults. We are doing our best to be mean parents, just like Mom was. From what I see, today’s moms are pretty awesome. Some of them are single, some are stay at-home moms and others are out there in the job force. And surprisingly, many moms I see are just like my mom was. They’re pretty mean. And that’s a good thing!” - Timothy Merrill

[Matthew 19:4-6] “And He answered and said to them, ‘Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said for this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.’” We are in a time where the lines of morality are blurred. The Bible is plain when it comes to who is to marry (one man to one woman), how children are to be parented (by both parents), and how children are to respond to their parents (reflecting Godly parenting). We should be thankful for days set aside to honor and give thanks for Godly mothers.

Where does a mother’s influence (parenting) begin? 2 Timothy 1:5 says, “When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and you mother Eunice and I am persuaded is in you also.” The mother (and grandmother) provide faith’s foundation from the home. This influence is far reaching and never ceases!

How do children respond to Godly parenting (mother)? Ephesians 6:1-3 says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” Honoring our mother begins with obedience. This allows us to be aware of the blessings in our family and in His family! O God, thank you for our earthly mothers who have taught us to be a person of integrity and faithfulness that we may be of service to You.

Let's Be Honest

 

In 1999 a number of Turkish villages were destroyed by a massive earthquake. Sadly, this could have been avoided. Thirty years prior, the villagers had been warned by sci­entists that certain towns were situated on top of a major fault line. They were instructed to relocate as soon as possible. An earthquake could occur at any time.

The leaders convened to discuss the situa­tion. Their decision was shocking. They did not demand (or even encourage) the ­townspeople to move. Instead, they redrew the geological map and moved the fault line so that their villages would no longer be in dan­ger. Nobody needed to be bothered with the inconveniences and hassles associated with moving.

For 30 years the people had peace of mind. But then a powerful earthquake hit and vil­lages were destroyed. They were told the day was coming but they did not want to believe it - they did not want to be inconvenienced. They paid a heavy price.

May we never be like this! If we get news we do not like, we must change! We must move! We cannot just “move the line.” If we compare our lives to the Gospel and discover that we are not living in harmony with the will of God, we must change.

Billy Ray Harris was a homeless man in Kansas City, Missouri who, each day, would sit out his cup for folks to deposit their coins of charity. One day a lady, Sarah Darling, put some money into the cup and when she did her engagement ring fell off into the cup. Mr. Harris didn’t know that until he found it later that evening when he emptied his cup. He took the ring to a jeweler and discovered it was worth $4000. He held onto the ring and a few days later Ms. Darling came by, and Harris returned the ring to her. Because of his honesty, Billy Ray Harris’ life has greatly improved. It’s true, “Honesty is the best policy.”

[2 Corinthians 13:5] We tend to be honest with others, day by day, in our physical life, but how honest are we with ourselves about our spiritual life? “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? – unless indeed you are disqualified.” Many tend to blame others for our poor relationship with God. Such a relationship can only be between you and God with nobody standing in the way. It’s been said – “The trouble with you is the one you groom daily.”

To be an honest Christian, one must be honest with the church. Don’t play “Hide and Seek” with the elders and the congregation. Elders have the responsibility to watch for the soul of each member (Hebrews 13:17). Members are to love one another and watch for one another. Yet some members forsake the assembly and not let anyone know (Hebrews 10:25). Are you sick and in need of prayer? Do you have to be somewhere else? Don’t develop “lock jaw” and have folks worrying and others scurrying around to find a replacement for your assigned duties. Life is fluid and we need to deal with it honestly.

We need to be honest with God. No matter what we may tell others, God knows the real truth behind our flimsy excuses. “The Lord knows the thoughts of man, That they are futile” (Psalm 94: 11). Wouldn’t one be more honest to confess their selfishness to God and ask His help in overcoming it? “God, I am sorry for not seeking your kingdom first in my life” (Matthew 6:33). Honesty is the best policy, and it will relieve a lot of stress.

“But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand; and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” (Matthew 7:26-27). No one can “kick the can down the road” or move the line of eternity to be saved some day. “…Now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Eternity is only a heartbeat away.